Who painted Hans Bol?

Hans Bol was painted by Hendrick Goltzius in 1593.

Where can I see Hans Bol?

Hans Bol is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Hans Bol?

Hans Bol is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Hans Bol?

Museum-quality prints of Hans Bol are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Hans Bol

Hendrick Goltzius , 1593

Hans Bol is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hendrick Goltzius. It dates from 1593 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:in image, in oval frame around portrait: IOANNES BOLLIVS MECHLINIENSI PICTOR. AET. LVIII. Ao M.D.XCIII; in image, in cartouche below portrait: Caelatam Vitrici effigiem Francisce tuêre, / Virtutem spectato magis, vitamqué probatum, / Pictricem admirâre manum, qua florida Tempe, / Et nemus Alcinoi penicillo aequavit amaenum. / Dedicat hanc grato tibi pectore Goltzius, at tu / Pignus amicitiae laeta cape mente, manuque. (Frans, regard the engraved portrait of your stepfather. Look rather at his virtue and his good life. Men admired the hand of the painter with which he rivalled the flowering Vale of Tempe and Alcinous's delightful forest with his brush. Goltzius gratefully dedicates this portrait to you; will you accept this token of our friendship gladly and with cheerful hand.); in image, at bottom left: HG. [Latin translation from Leeflang, Huigen, and Ger Luijten. _Hendrick Goltzius (1558-1617): Drawings, Prints and Paintings._ Amsterdam: Rijksmuseum, 2003, p. 162.]

About this work

Overview

Hans Bol is an engraving on laid paper created by Hendrick Goltzius in 1593. The work portrays Hans Bol, a contemporary artist of Goltzius, known for his landscapes and miniatures.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving depicts Hans Bol as a bearded man with a ruff collar, gazing straight ahead. Symbolic elements include a scroll with Latin text encircling his head, cherubs holding a globe and sun above him, and a skull at the bottom, set amidst intricate, swirling decorations.

Technique & Style

Executed in the Northern Mannerist style, the engraving showcases Goltzius' technical mastery. Characteristic details include delicate cross-hatching and a dense composition, highlighting the controlled complexity achievable through engraving.

History & Provenance

Created in 1593, Hans Bol exemplifies Goltzius' work as the leading Dutch engraver of the early Baroque period. Notably, Goltzius later transitioned to painting in the latter part of his career.

Context

As an engraving, Hans Bol was produced through a labor-intensive process involving carving lines into metal plates, a prevalent method for print production before the advent of photography.

Own this work as a print

Artist & collection

Artist

Hendrick Goltzius

Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.